Web television having a two-way communication bus interconnecting a television controller and an internet module

ABSTRACT

A web television includes a display, a tuner, an internet module, and a PIP module. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The internet video and the television video may be swapped between the PIP area and the main area of the display, and the speaker of the web television may be swapped between the internet audio and the television audio.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a divisional of a copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/420,131 filed on Apr. 22, 2003 which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,410 filed on Apr.18, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,906 which is a continuation of a U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/787,831 was filed on Jan. 23, 1997 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,097,383). The present application is related to theinventions disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/787,660filed on Jan. 23, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,171), and in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/787,654 filed on Jan. 23, 1997 (now U.S. Pat.No. 5,977,963), and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/787,662 filedon Jan. 23, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,552), and in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/551,114 filed on Apr. 18, 2000 (now U.S. Pat.No. 6,272,680).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a web TV having a televisioncontroller, an internet module, and a two-way communication bus tosupport communication between the television controller and the internetmodule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The internet has become an integral part in the way in which content isdelivered to end users. For example, newspapers, magazines, andtelevision and cable networks have web sites that are increasingly beingused to deliver content. Content is delivered by on-line contentproviders which include, for example, web sites and on-line serviceproviders such as AOL™.

Content is accessed by end users via on-line access devices. The on-lineaccess device most often used currently is the personal computer.However, non-personal-computer on-line access devices are being, andhave been, developed that enable end users to connect to the internet.For example, one type of non-personal-computer on-line access device isa web television.

A web television generally includes many of the components of aconventional television, such as a television controller, a videoprocessor, an audio processor, and the like. However, unlike aconventional television, a web television also includes an internetmodule, which permits the web television to be used as an on-line accessdevice, and an input device, which permits the user to interface withthe internet module and the web television in order to communicate overthe internet by way of the web television. Accordingly, a web televisionmay be used in a manner similar to a personal computer in order to gainaccess to on-line content providers.

The television controller of a web television currently responds toinputs from the end user in order to control the web television ineither a normal television mode or an internet mode. During thetelevision mode, the television controller responds to instructions fromthe end user, usually by way of a remote control, in order to select andpresent television signals by way of the television's display andspeakers. During the internet mode, the television controller transmitsmessages to the internet module permitting the internet module to beused in order to communicate over the internet.

However, the television controllers of existing web televisions do notreceive messages from their corresponding internet modules. Accordingly,the television controllers cannot determine the status of theircorresponding internet modules, the software version numbers andrevision numbers of the software being executed by their correspondinginternet module, and other characteristics of the internet module whichwould be useful to the television controller. Also, current webtelevisions do not have integrated PIP functions (i.e., PIP functionsthat are internal to the web television and that do not require a settop internet box) which permit internet video from the internet moduleto be displayed in the PIP and which permit internet video from theinternet module in the PIP to be swapped with television video from thetelevision tuner of the web television. Moreover, current webtelevisions do not permit internet audio from the internet module to beswapped with television audio from the television tuner of the webtelevision from a single integrated control source such as a televisioncontroller.

The present invention solves one or more of the above noted problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a web televisionincludes a display, a tuner, an internet module, a televisioncontroller, and a communication bus. The tuner selects television videofor display on the display. The internet module supplies internet videofor display on the display such that the internet video is derived frominternet communications between the web television and Internet contentproviders. The television controller controls the display. Thecommunication bus interconnects the internet module and the televisioncontroller in order to support two-way communication between theinternet module and the television controller, and one or morecommunications that are generated by the television controller fortransmission via the communication bus comprise mode informationindicating in which of a set of one or more modes that the webtelevision is operating.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method ofdisplaying video in a web television comprises transmitting a firstcontrol signal to a tuner to select television video for display on adisplay, transmitting a second control signal to an internet module toprovide internet video for display on the display such that the internetvideo is derived from internet communications between the web televisionand internet content providers, transmitting mode information to theinternet module via a two-way communication bus such that the modeinformation indicates one or more modes that the web television isoperating, and displaying at least one of the television video andinternet video on the display.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a webtelevision comprises a monitor, a tuner, an internet module, and aswitch. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display onthe display. The internet module is arranged to supply internet videofor display on the display, and the internet video is derived frominternet communications between the web television and internet contentproviders. The switch is arranged to switch the display between theinternet video and the television video.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a webtelevision comprises a display, a tuner, an internet module, a PIPmodule, and swapping means. The tuner is arranged to select televisionvideo for display on the display and to select television audio fordisplay by a speaker of the web television. The internet module isarranged to supply internet video for display on the display and tosupply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television,and the internet video and internet audio are derived from internetcommunications between the web television and internet contentproviders. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within amain area in the display. The swapping means swaps the internet videoand the television video between the PIP area and the main area in thedisplay and swaps the internet audio and the television audio betweenthe speaker of the web television.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a webtelevision comprises a display, a tuner, a PIP module, and an integratedtelevision/internet controller. The tuner is arranged to selecttelevision video for display on the display and to select televisionaudio for display by a speaker of the web television. The PIP module isarranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. Theintegrated television/internet controller is arranged to supply internetvideo for display on the display and to supply internet audio fordisplay by the speaker of the web television, wherein the internet videoand internet audio are derived from internet communications between theweb television and internet content providers. The integratedtelevision/internet controller is also arranged to swap the internetvideo and the television video between the PIP area and the main area ofthe display and to swap the internet audio and the television audiobetween the speaker of the web television.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a web television arranged in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication system having an internet module anda television controller for controlling the web television of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a message format of a status command message writtenby the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a message format of a data page command messagewritten by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a message format of a trakball position commandmessage written by the television controller to the internet module ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a message format of a keyboard page command messagewritten by the television controller to the internet module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a message format of a controller version commandmessage written by the television controller to the internet module ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 illustrates a message format of a status response message read bythe television controller from the internet module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 illustrates a message format of an internet module responsemessage read by the television controller from the internet module ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate a program which is executed by the televisioncontroller in writing messages to, and reading messages from, theinternet module of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a communication systemhaving an integrated television/internet controller for controlling theweb television of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A web television 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a display 12(such as a CRT) housed in a cabinet 14. The cabinet 14 also housesvarious switches 16 as well as an infrared sensor 18 that responds to aninfrared remote control device 20. Alternatively, the remote controldevice 20 may be hardwired to the web television 10, or the remotecontrol device 20 may transmit wireless signals of a kind other thaninfrared. The remote control device 20 may be a trakball type remotecontrol, a conventional remote control, a keyboard type remote control,or the like.

A communication medium 22 is connected to the web television 10permitting the web television 10 to communicate with on-line contentproviders such as by way of the internet. The communication medium 22may be a phone line, a cable, an integrated services digital network, adigital subscriber line (which may include an asymmetrical digitalsubscriber line, a rate adapted digital subscriber line, or the like), asatellite link, or any other type of medium which supports communicationbetween the web television 10 and on-line content providers.

A television control system 30 for controlling the operations of the webtelevision 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The television control system 30includes a television controller 32, an internet module 34, anaudio/video switch 36, a PIP module 38, a video processor 40, an audioprocessor 42, a raster control 44, a communication bus 46, and a tuner48. The internet module 34 may be any of the suitable commerciallyavailable devices that permit communication between a television andon-line content providers. The internet module 34 has an Ethernet portEN and a phone line port PL for connecting the internet module 34 to thecommunication medium 22 so that the internet module 34 may transmit andreceive information to and from remote on-line devices. The internetmodule 34 also has a port PRT for connecting the internet module 34 to aprinter so that internet communications may be printed.

The television controller 32 may be a microprocessor with correspondingmemory and communication circuits for supporting communications over thecommunication bus 46 between the television controller 32, the internetmodule 34, the audio/video switch 36, the PIP module 38, the videoprocessor 40, the audio processor 42, the raster control 44, and thetuner 48. The communication circuit of the television controller 32includes a transmitter and a receiver. The communication bus 46 may bean IIC communication bus having serial control, data, and address lines.

The audio/video switch 36 is controlled by the television controller 32in order to supply internet communications, which are supported by theinternet module 34, and/or television signals, which are tuned by thetuner 48, to the PIP module 38, to the video processor 40, and to theaudio processor 42. The PIP module 38, the video processor 40, the audioprocessor 42, and the raster control 44 are controlled by the televisioncontroller 32 in order to appropriately supply the internetcommunications and television signals to the display 12 and the speakersof the web television 10.

Accordingly, the television controller 32, in response to appropriatesignals from the remote control device 20, may control the audio/videoswitch 36, the PIP module 38, the video processor 40, the audioprocessor 42, and the raster control 44 so that (i) internet video isdisplayed on the display 12 and audio supported by the internet module34 is provided to the speakers of the web television 10, (ii) televisionvideo is displayed on the display 12 and audio selected by the tuner 48is provided to the speakers of the web television 10, (iii) internetvideo supported by the internet module 34 is displayed on the display 12and television audio selected by the tuner 48 is provided to thespeakers of the web television 10, (iv) internet audio supported by theinternet module 34 is provided to the speakers and television videoselected by the tuner 48 is displayed on the display 12 of the webtelevision 10, (v) internet video supported by the internet module 34 isdisplayed in a PIP area in the display 12, television video selected bythe tuner 48 is displayed in the main area in the display 12, and eitherinternet audio or television audio is provided to the speakers of theweb television 10, and/or (vi) television video selected by the tuner 48is displayed in a PIP area of the display 12, internet video supportedby the internet module 34 is displayed in the main area of the display12, and either internet audio or television audio is provided to thespeakers of the web television 10. The television controller 32, inresponse to appropriate signals from the remote control device 20, mayalso control the audio/video switch 36, the PIP module 38, the videoprocessor 40, the audio processor 42, and the raster control 44 to swapinternet video and television video between the PIP area and the mainarea, and to swap the speaker of the web television 10 between internetaudio and television audio.

Alternatively, a swapping function may be initiated by the internetmodule 34. For example, when the web television 10 is in internet modeso that an internet screen is displayed on the display 12, a button onthe internet screen may be selected by the user through use of theremote control device 20 causing the internet module 34 to send arequest for a PIP swap to the television controller 32. In response, thetelevision controller 32 suitably controls the audio/video switch 36,the PIP module 38, the video processor 40, the audio processor 42, andthe raster control 44 to swap internet video and television videobetween the PIP area and the main area, and/or to swap the speaker ofthe web television 10 between internet audio and television audio. Asanother example, when the web television 10 is in internet mode, theinternet module 34 may determine that the reception of an internetcommunication is taking too long and, until reception is complete, isappropriating the main television unnecessarily. Accordingly, theinternet module 34 may send a request for a PIP swap to the televisioncontroller 32 causing the television controller 32 to swap internetvideo to the PIP area and television video to the main area, and/or toswap the speaker of the web television 10 from internet audio totelevision audio, so that the user need not be bothered with theinternet communication until its reception is complete.

The communication bus 46 supports two-way communication between theinternet module 34 and the television controller 32. Examples ofmessages which may be used during such communication are shown in FIGS.3-9 as messages 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120. During communicationbetween the television controller 32 and the internet module 34, thetelevision controller 32 operates as a master station by controllingcommunication between the television controller 32 and the internetmodule 34 over the communication bus 46.

Accordingly, as shown by each of the messages 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110,and 120, the television controller 32 initiates each communicationbetween itself and the internet module 34 by transmitting a startsignal, which may be a bit or bit sequence and which designates thestart of the messages 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120, followed by anappropriate slave address. The slave address (i) specifies the addressof a module (such as the internet module 34), and (ii) designateswhether the television controller 32 is writing to the communication bus46 (i.e., transmitting) or reading from the communication bus 46 (i.e.,receiving).

As shown by each of the messages 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 of FIGS. 3-7, awrite slave address having a particular value, such as $44, istransmitted by the television controller 32 when the televisioncontroller 32 writes a message to the communication bus 46 and themessage is intended for the internet module 34. As shown by each of themessages 110 and 120 of FIGS. 8 and 9, a read slave address having aparticular value, such as $45, is transmitted by the televisioncontroller 32 when the television controller 32 determines to readinformation on the communication bus 46 from the internet module 34.After the television controller 32 transmits the start signal followedby the slave address, the television controller 32 waits for anacknowledgement (ACK) from the internet module 34.

The message 60 illustrated in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the internetmodule 34 whenever the television controller 32 has status informationto transmit, such as in the event that (i) a change occurs which affectsa mode bit in the message 60 (these mode bits are described below), (ii)the television controller 32 receives a request from the internet module34, in which case the message 60 is transmitted by the televisioncontroller 32 as an acknowledgement of the request, (iii) the internetmodule 34 fails to respond to a poll from the television controller 32for a predetermined amount of time, (iv) the television controller 32receives a command from the user which switches the televisioncontroller 32 in or out of internet mode, or the like.

Upon receipt of an acknowledgement (ACK) from the internet module 34,the television controller 32 transmits a status command byte (which mayhave a value of $00, for example) to indicate that the message 60 is astatus message containing certain status information. This statusinformation indicates to the internet module 34 the status of certainmodes of the web television 10. The television controller 32 then waitsto receive from the internet module 34 an acknowledgement of the commandbyte. Upon receiving this acknowledgement, the television controller 32transmits a mode byte.

The mode byte, for example, may be eight bits in length and may be usedfor a variety of purposes. The mode byte may have (i) a first bit whichindicates whether the web television 10 is off or on, (ii) a second bitwhich indicates a television receiver configuration or model, (iii) athird bit which indicates whether the main area of the display 12 is tocontain internet video received by the internet module 34 or televisionvideo of a television signal selected by the tuner 48, (iv) a fourth bitwhich indicates whether the speakers of the web television 10 aresupplied with internet audio received by the internet module 34 ortelevision audio of a television signal selected by the tuner 48, (v) afifth bit which indicates whether the PIP module 38 is on or off, (vi) asixth bit which indicates whether a screen saver mode is on or off, and(vii) two bits for the like purposes.

The information contained in these mode bits may indicate the results ofcommands from the end user by way of the television controller 32 orfrom the internet module 34. For example, if the end user desires toplace internet video in the main area of the display 12 and to placetelevision video in the PIP area of the display 12, the end user will doso by use of the remote control device 20 which causes the televisioncontroller 32 to send commands in order to control the audio/videoswitch 36, the PIP module 38, the video processor 40, the audioprocessor 42, the raster control 44, and/or the tuner 48, asappropriate. The results of these control actions affect the mode bits,causing the television controller 32 to send the message 60 to theinternet module 34. As another example, the internet module 34 maytransmit a request to the television controller 32 that internet videobe placed in the main area of the display 12 and that television videobe placed in the PIP area of the display 12. Such a request may resultfrom a selection by the end user of an appropriate button in an internetscreen supplied to the display 12 by the internet module 34. As a resultof the request, the television controller 32 sends commands to controlthe audio/video switch 36, the PIP module 38, the video processor 40,the audio processor 42, the raster control 44, and/or the tuner 48, asappropriate. This action also affects the mode bits, causing thetelevision controller 32 to send the message 60 to the internet module34 as an acknowledgement of the request transmitted by the internetmodule 34 to the television controller 32.

Following transmission of the mode byte, the television controller 32waits for an acknowledgement from the internet module 34. Upon receiptof the acknowledgement, the television controller 32 transmits a requestbyte which, for example, may be used to request the internet module 34(i) to transmit back its version ID (which may be useful for diagnosticpurposes), (ii) to reset the internet module 34 (such as when the webtelevision 10 is turned off by the end user, when the internet module 34fails to acknowledge the communication bus 46 for more than a predefinedlimit of time, or when the internet module 34 otherwise requires reset),or the like. A request that the internet module 34 reset itself causesthe internet module 34 to transmit back a status message indicatingcompliance.

After transmittal of the request byte, the television controller 32waits for an acknowledgement. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, thetelevision controller 32 transmits a stop signal (such as a bit or bitsequence) designating the end of the message 60.

The messages 70, 80, and 90 are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Themessages 70, 80, and 90 are similar to the message 60 of FIG. 3 in thatthe messages 70, 80, and 90 are initiated with a start signal followedby the write slave address indicating that information is to betransmitted by the television controller 32 to the internet module 34.Upon receipt of an acknowledgement from the internet module 34, thetelevision controller 32 transmits a remote control command byte (whichmay have a value of $01, for example) to indicate that the messages 70,80, and 90 contain remote control information which has been transmittedby the remote control device 20 to the television controller 32 andwhich may be useful to the internet module 34. After acknowledgement ofthis remote control command byte, the television controller 32 nexttransmits a remote control page byte which indicates that certain remotecontrol page information follows.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the remote control page byte of themessage 70 is a data page byte (containing a value of $09, for example)to indicate that the message 70 includes a data byte. After transmittingthe remote control data page byte, the television controller 32 waitsfor an acknowledgement. Upon receipt of the acknowledgement, thetelevision controller 32 transmits the data byte. The data byte may beused to transmit trakball push (click) data in the case where the remotecontrol device 20 has a trakball and the trakball has been pushed, enterkey push (click) data in the case where the remote control device 20 hasan enter key and the enter key has been pushed, and the like. Aftertransmittal of the data byte, the television controller 32 waits for anacknowledgement from the internet module 34. Upon receipt of theacknowledgement, the television controller 32 transmits a stop signaldesignating the end of the message 70.

The message 80, which is shown in FIG. 5, is transmitted by thetelevision controller 32 in order to convey displacement information tothe internet module 34. For example, the displacement informationtransmitted in the message 80 may include the x and y position of acursor or highlighting or the like, as selected by movement of atrakball on a trakball type remote control. As another example, thedisplacement information transmitted in the message 80 may include the xand y position of a cursor or highlighting or the like, as selected byarrow keys on either a conventional remote control, a keyboard remotecontrol, or a trakball remote control.

The message 80 includes the start signal, the write slave address, theremote control command byte, and the remote control page byte describedabove. However, unlike the remote control page byte of the message 70,the remote control page byte of the message 80 is an X-Y position pagebyte (containing a value of $14, for example) to indicate thatdisplacement information is contained in the message 80. Accordingly, asindicated in FIG. 5, upon receipt of an acknowledgement followingtransmission of the remote control page byte, the television controller32 transmits X and Y position bytes. The X position byte designates acurrent X position of a cursor, highlighting, or the like, as selectedby a trakball, by arrow keys, or the like. The Y position byte similarlydesignates a current Y position of a cursor, highlighting, or the like,as selected by a trakball, by arrow keys, or the like. Upon receipt ofan acknowledgement after transmission of each of the X and Y positionbytes, the television controller 32 transmits a stop signal designatingthe end of the message 80.

The message 90, which is shown in FIG. 6, is transmitted by thetelevision controller 32 in order to convey alpha and/or numericcharacter data or the like to the internet module 34. For example, whenthe web television 10 is in internet mode and the remote control device20 transmits characters (such as alpha and/or numeric characters) to theweb television 10, the television controller 32 responds by transmittingthe characters to the internet module 34 by way of the message 90. Themessage 90 includes the start signal, the write slave address, theremote control command byte, and the remote control page byte describedabove. However, unlike the remote control page bytes of the messages 70and 80, the remote control page byte of the message 90 is a keyboardpage byte (containing a value of $15, for example) to indicate thatcharacter data is contained in the message 90. Accordingly, as indicatedin FIG. 6, upon receipt of an acknowledgement following transmission ofthe remote control page byte, the television controller 32 transmits thelast keystroke followed by the current keystroke. Following suitableacknowledgements, the television controller 32 transmits a stop signaldesignating the end of the message 90.

The television controller 32 transmits a message 100 as illustrated inFIG. 7 in order to convey to the internet module 34 the revision andversion numbers of the television controller 32. The message 100includes the start signal and the write slave address described above.Following acknowledgement of the write slave address byte by theinternet module 34, the television controller 32 transmits a versioncommand byte in the message 100. The version command byte of the message100 (containing a value of $04, for example) indicates that the message100 contains the revision and version numbers of the televisioncontroller 32. The revision and version numbers of the televisioncontroller 32 may be useful to the internet module 34 in determiningwhich of its features are compatible with the software executed by thetelevision controller 32 and, therefore, should be initialized.

As indicated above, when the television controller 32 is ready to readinformation which it previously requested from the internet module 34,or when the television controller 32 is ready to poll the internetmodule 34, it transmits a read slave address over the communication bus46. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this read slave address mayhave a value of $45, for example. The internet module 34 will thenreturn the previously requested information and/or its status in amessage format such as that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The message 110 shown in FIG. 8 includes a start signal, as describedabove, and a read slave address, both of which are transmitted by thetelevision controller 32. Generally, a read slave address, which doesnot follow a previous request by the television controller 32 forspecific information from the internet module 34 (such as version andrevision numbers), indicates that the television controller 32 ispolling the internet module 34. Following transmission of the startsignal and the read slave address, the television controller 32 waitsfor an acknowledgement from the internet module 34 and an additionalbyte which, for example, may have a status indicating byte as shown inFIG. 8 or a version indicating byte as shown in FIG. 9.

In the message 110, a status indicating byte (containing a value of $00,for example) indicates that mode and status information bytes follow.The mode byte in the message 110 may be used to indicate certaininformation such as (i) whether the internet module 34 is active and hasbeen initialized, (ii) whether the internet module 34 is connected to aphone line or whether the internet module is off-line, (iii) whether theinternet module 34 is connected to the Ethernet, and (iv) other possibleinformation such as whether the internet module 34 is executing WebBrowser, Email, User Setup, or other applications. Following receipt ofthe status indicating and mode bytes, the television controller 32transmits corresponding acknowledgements and then waits for a statusbyte.

The status byte received by the television controller 32 may indicatewhether internet audio or television audio is being supplied to thespeaker of the web television 10, whether a Screen Saver mode of theinternet module 34 is on or off, and the like. Following receipt of thestatus byte, the television controller 32 transmits an acknowledgementand waits for a request byte.

The request byte from the internet module 34 may request the televisioncontroller 32 to perform one or more of the following functions: (i)transmit its version ID; (ii) execute a PIP swap function; (iii) executea PIP off function; (iv) execute a PIP on function; (v) switch the videooutput of the internet module 34 into the main area of the display 12;(vi) switch the video output of the tuner 48 into the main area of thedisplay 12; and the like.

Many of these requests result when the user, by use of the remotecontrol device 20 for example, clicks on an appropriate button of aninternet screen which the internet module 34 causes to appear on thedisplay 12 of the web television 10. The click information istransmitted by the television controller 32 in the messages 70, 80, and90, as appropriate, and the selected buttons are then transmitted by theinternet module 34 to the television controller 32 as requests so thatthe television controller 32 can take appropriate action with respect tothe audio/video switch 36, the PIP module 38, the video processor 40,the audio processor 42, and the raster control 44. Additionally, thetelevision controller 32 transmits the message 100 to the internetmodule 34 in response to function (i) above, and the televisioncontroller 32 transmits the message 60 to the internet module 34 inresponse to functions (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and the like.

Following receipt of the request byte, the television controller 32transmits an acknowledgement and waits for a checksum byte. All messageswhich are sent from the internet module 34 to the television controller32 over the communication bus 46 may use a checksum at the end of themessage for detection of transmission errors. This checksum may be thetwo's complement of the sum of all bytes transmitted in the message, notincluding the device address. In this way, the sum of all bytesfollowing the device address will be zero. If this checksum is not zero,the message will not be processed by the television controller 32 andthe television controller 32 will require a retransmission of themessage from the internet module 34. Following receipt of the checksumbyte, the television controller 32 transmits a HIGH line level followedby a stop signal.

The message 120 as illustrated in FIG. 9 is transmitted so that theinternet module 34 may respond to the message 60 having its request byteset to request version and revision numbers from the internet module 34.The message 120 includes the start signal and the read slave address ofthe message 110. Following transmission of the start signal and the readslave address, the television controller 32 waits for an acknowledgementfollowed by a byte having a value indicating that version identificationinformation from the internet module 34 follows. For example, this bytemay have a value of $03. Following receipt of this versionidentification indicating byte, the television controller 32 transmits,to the internet module 34, an acknowledgement that it has received theversion identification indicating byte.

Upon receipt of this acknowledgement, the internet module 34 transmits asoftware revision number byte. Following receipt of the softwarerevision number byte, the television controller 32 transmits anacknowledgement and then waits for a software version byte.

Upon receipt of this acknowledgement, the internet module 34 transmitsthe software version number byte. Following receipt of the softwareversion number byte, the television controller 32 transmits anacknowledgement and then waits for a checksum byte.

Following receipt of the checksum byte, the television controller 32transmits a HIGH line level and a stop signal.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an example of a program 200 which may be executedby the television controller 32 in order to facilitate the transmissionand reception of the messages 60-120 over the communication bus 46. Theprogram 200, for the most part, is an event-initiated program. Ingeneral terms, the events are either user-selected events (for example,events selected by the user through use of the remote control device 20)or polling events. In the case of user-selected events, a block 202determines whether the event is an user instruction to turn on the webtelevision 10. If so, a block 204 transmits messages to the tuner 48,the audio/video switch 36, the video processor 40, and the audioprocessor 42 to begin displaying video and audio on the web television10. The block 204 also transmits, to the internet module 34, the message60 with the first bit of the message 60 set to indicate that the webtelevision 10 is on.

A block 206 determines whether the event is an user instruction to turnoff the web television 10. If so, a block 208 transmits messages to theaudio/video switch 36, the video processor 40, the audio processor 42,and the tuner 48 to turn off the web television 10. The block 208 alsotransmits, to the internet module 34, the message 60 with the first bitof the message 60 set to indicate that the web television 10 is off.

A block 210 determines whether the event is an user instruction or aninternet module 34 request to turn on the PIP area. If so, a block 212transmits a message to the PIP module 38 in order to initiate PIPoperation. The block 212 also transmits, to the internet module 34, themessage 60 with the fifth bit of the message 60 set to indicate that PIPoperation has been initiated.

A block 214 determines whether the event is an user instruction or aninternet module 34 request to turn off the PIP area. If so, a block 216transmits a message to the PIP module 38 in order to conclude PIPoperation. The block 216 also transmits, to the internet module 34, themessage 60 with the fifth bit of the message 60 set to indicate that PIPoperation has been concluded.

A block 218 determines whether the event is an user instruction or aninternet module 34 request to perform a PIP swap. If so, a block 220transmits a message to the audio/video switch 36 in order to swap videobetween the PIP display and the main area of the display 12. The block220 also transmits, to the internet module 34, the message 60 with thethird bit of the message 60 set to indicate that internet video ortelevision video, as appropriate, is in the main area of the display 12.If internet video is in the PIP area and television video is in the mainarea before the swap so that internet video is in the main area andtelevision video is in the PIP area after the swap, the internet videoafter the swap may be wrapped around the PIP area so that none of theinternet communication being displayed is covered over by the PIP area.This wrapping may be implemented by the internet module 34 itself, orthe television controller 32 may implement wrapping by suitable controlof the video processor 40 and the raster control 44. This wrappingcapability provides a distinct advantage over set top box type webtelevisions.

A block 222 determines whether the event is an user instruction or aninternet module 34 request to place internet video from the internetmodule 34 in the main area of the display 12. If so, a block 224transmits a message to the audio/video switch 36 in order to placeinternet video from the internet module 34 in the main area of thedisplay 12. The block 224 also transmits, to the internet module 34, themessage 60 with the third bit of the message 60 set to indicate thatinternet video from the internet module 34 should be in the main area ofthe display 12.

A block 226 determines whether the event is an user instruction or aninternet module 34 request to place television video from the tuner 48in the main area of the display 12. If so, a block 228 transmits amessage to the audio/video switch 36 in order to place television videofrom the tuner 48 in the main area of the display 12. The block 228 alsotransmits, to the internet module 34, the message 60 with the third bitof the message 60 set to indicate that television video from the tuner48 should be in the main area of the display 12.

A block 230 determines whether the event is an user instruction toconnect television audio from the tuner 48 to the speakers of the webtelevision 10. If so, a block 232 transmits a message to the audio/videoswitch 36 in order to connect television audio from the tuner 48 to thespeakers of the web television 10. The block 232 also transmits, to theinternet module 34, the message 60 with the fourth bit of the message 60set to indicate that television audio from the tuner 48 is connected tothe speakers of the web television 10.

A block 234 determines whether the event is an user instruction toconnect internet audio from the internet module 34 to the speakers ofthe web television 10. If so, a block 236 transmits a message to theaudio/video switch 36 in order to connect internet audio from theinternet module 34 to the speakers of the web television 10. The block236 also transmits, to the internet module 34, the message 60 with thefourth bit of the message 60 set to indicate that internet audio fromthe internet module 34 is connected to the speakers of the webtelevision 10.

A block 238 determines whether the event is a click of a trakball of atrakball remote control device 20, of an enter key of a keyboard orother remote control device 20, or the like. If so, a block 240 sendsthe message 70 to the internet module 34 to indicate the click. A block242 determines whether the event is a change in cursor position asselected by use of a trakball of a trakball remote control device 20 byarrow keys of a keyboard or other remote control device 20, or the like.If so, a block 244 transmits the message 80 in order to transmit thedisplacement information to the internet module 34. A block 246determines whether the event is a key stroke of a keyboard remotecontrol device 20. If so, a block 248 transmits the message 90 in orderto transmit the last keystroke and the current keystroke to the internetmodule 34.

A block 250 determines whether the event is a request from the internetmodule 34 for the version of the software executed by the televisioncontroller 32. If so, a block 252 transmits, to the internet module 34,the message 100 containing the revision and version numbers of thesoftware executed by the television controller 32.

Polling is a timed event. When a timed event occurs, or if thetelevision controller 32 otherwise determines to read information fromthe internet module 34, a block 300 initiates the transmission of anappropriate message such as the message 110 or the message 120. A block302 awaits the receipt of the bytes subsequent to the read slave addressbyte of the message 110 or the message 120. As each byte subsequent tothe read slave address byte of the message 110 or the message 120 isreceived by the television controller 32, a block 304 appropriatelyprocesses the received data and transmits acknowledgements.

As shown in FIG. 14, the functions of the television controller 32 andof the internet module 34 may be integrated within the same processingblock, such as a television/internet controller 400. Thetelevision/internet controller 400 communicates with on-line contentproviders and provides internet communications to an audio/video switch402. The audio/video switch 402 also receives television signals asselected by a tuner 404. As in the case of the audio/video switch 36,the audio/video switch 402 provides internet and/or television video toa PIP module 406 and to a video processor 408, and provides internetand/or television audio to an audio processor 410. Thetelevision/internet controller 400 suitably controls the audio/videoswitch 402, the PIP module 406, the video processor 408, the audioprocessor 410, and a raster control 44 in the same fashion as isdescribed in connection with FIG. 2. The television/internet controller400 may be microprocessor based and programmed to incorporate all of thefunctions described above in connection with the television controller32 and the internet module 34.

Certain modifications of the present invention have been discussedabove. Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the art ofthe present invention. For example, each portion of the messages 60, 70,80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 is described above as a single byte. Instead,each portion of the messages 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 may becomprised of several bytes or one or more other data units.

Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be construedas illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may bevaried substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention,and the exclusive use of all modifications which are within the scope ofthe appended claims is reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital receiver, comprising: a tuner arrangedto tune television signals which include television video and televisionaudio; an internet module arranged to perform internet communicationswith an internet content provider, wherein the internet communicationsinclude internet video and internet audio; an audio/video switcharranged to output at least one of the television audio and the internetaudio and to output at least one of the television video and theinternet video; a PIP module arranged to provide a sub area, wherein thesub area displays at least one of the television video or the internetvideo; an audio processor arranged to process the television audio orthe internet audio; a video processor arranged to process the televisionvideo or the internet video; a main controller arranged to control videooutput and audio output; and, a communication bus arranged tointerconnect the internet module and the main controller in order tosupport two-way communication between the internet module and the maincontroller, wherein the main controller controls output of thetelevision video in a main area and the internet video in the sub areaor output of the television video in the sub area and the internet videoin the main area and controls output of the television audio or theinternet audio, wherein one or more communications between the maincontroller and the internet module via the communication bus includemode information which indicates a status of the digital receiver or astatus of the internet module, and wherein the one or morecommunications including the mode information are internalcommunications within the digital receiver.
 2. The digital receiver ofclaim 1, wherein the mode information comprises information indicatingwhether the digital receiver is on or off.
 3. The digital receiver ofclaim 1, wherein the mode information comprises information indicating adigital receiver configuration or model.
 4. The digital receiver ofclaim 1, wherein the mode information comprises information indicatingwhether the audio output of the digital receiver is supplied withinternet audio received by the internet module or television audioreceived by the tuner.
 5. The digital receiver of claim 1, wherein themode information comprises information indicating whether a PIP mode ison or off.
 6. The digital receiver of claim 1, wherein the modeinformation comprises information indicating whether a screen saver modeis on or off.
 7. The digital receiver of claim 1, wherein the internetmodule sends a response message to the main controller upon receipt ofthe mode information.
 8. The digital receiver of claim 7, wherein theresponse message is an acknowledgement message.
 9. The digital receiverof claim 1, wherein the main controller requests the internet module totransmit back diagnostic information of the internet module.
 10. Thedigital receiver of claim 9, wherein the diagnostic informationcomprises a version ID of the internet module.
 11. The digital receiverof claim 1, wherein the mode information comprises informationindicating whether a main area of the display is to contain the internetvideo from the internet module or the television video from the tuner.12. The digital receiver of claim 1, wherein the mode informationcomprises information indicating whether the internet module is activeand has been initialized.
 13. The digital receiver of claim 1, whereinthe mode information comprises information indicating whether theinternet module is on-line or off-line.